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To Be Or Not To Be Therapeutic

In Jacquelyn Small's book "Becoming Naturally Therapeutic: A Return to the True Essence of Helping," I explored what it takes to be a genuinely helpful counselor. Although I do not intend to pursue a career in counseling, her book touches on various topics that may be used by all individuals. Small provides her readers with a check-list of characteristic ranging from empathy to respect to self-actualization that are virtually essential to becoming therapeutic.
The book begins by stating that "ordinary people" offer better therapeutic help than professionals. In a sense, this fact was surprising because you would think that trained professional would be better equipped to counsel people. However, there are a various reasons why the previous statement should not be shocking. For example, I can understand why an individual seeking help would be more reluctant to visit a licensed counselor. For starters, the general public has a preconception that going to therapy is like admitting that you're "insane." They also fear being analyzed. Therefore, people are more inclined to request the aid of a close friend because it is less intimidating. In addition, when your share with your peers they respond in a "normal" manner rather than in a theoretical fashion. By this I refer to the use of all those theories and disorders that one learns in psychology courses.
Next, Small discusses how we can fall into the habit of letting our own feelings interfere with the patients' problem. This can create all sorts of complication and the results can be far more damaging that the problem itself. "Toxic relating" is proper term used to describe the confusion between the helper and the patient. In this situation, we often assume the role of preacher, judge, teacher, or savior. "Preachers" use a moralist approach in which he/she becomes overly concerned with right and wrong. "Judges" are less moralistic and more logical. They sound confident in their knowledge. "Teachers" lean toward...